Compression-shear micro- and macro-failure characteristics of red sandstone

Abstract

The mechanical parameters and failure characteristics of sandstone under compressive-shear stress states provide crucial theoretical references for underground engineering construction. In this study, a series of varied angle shear tests (VASTs) were designed using acoustic emission (AE) detection and digital image correlation technologies to evaluate the mechanical behaviors of typical red sandstone. AE signal parameters revealed differences in the number and intensity of microcracks within the sandstone, with a test angle (α) of 50° identified as a significant turning point for its failure properties. When α≥50°, microcrack activity intensified, and the proportion of tensile cracks increased. As α increased, the number of fragments generated after failure decreased, fragment sizes became smaller, and the crack network simplified. Cracks extended from the two cut slits at the ends of the rock, gradually penetrating along the centerline towards the central location, as observed from the evolution of the strain concentration field. Both cohesion (c) and internal friction angle (ϕ) measured in VAST were lower than those measured under conventional triaxial compression.

References

[1] ZhouZ-l, WangP-y, CaiX, et al.. Estimating crack closure and damage stress thresholds of rock during uniaxial compression based on axial plastic strain [J]. Journal of Central South University, 2023, 30(10): 3335-3348

[2] QiS-w, WuF-q, ZhouY-d, et al.. Influence of deep seated discontinuities on the left slope of Jinping I Hydropower Station and its stability analysis [J]. Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment, 2010, 69(3): 333-342

[3] ZhangP, WuF, LiuR, et al.. Energy evolution and failure characteristics of sandstone under high temperature and acidic solutions [J]. Journal of Central South University, 2023, 30(9): 3162-3172

[4] LangmaakK R, BassonG R. Incipient motion of riprap on steep slopes [J]. Journal of Hydraulic Engineering, 2015, 141(9): 06015010

[5] Martinez-BofillJ, CorominasJ, SolerA. Behaviour of the weak rock cut slopes and their characterization using the results of the slake durability test [M]. Engineering Geology for Infrastructure Planning in Europe, 2004, Berlin, Heidelberg, Springer Berlin Heidelberg: 405-413

[6] AnthonyB, BruenM, MannR R, et al.. Hybrid grouting techdniques to stabilize a weakly cemented sandstone at King Talal Dam, Jordan [J]. Grouting, Soil Improvement and Geosynthetics, 1992, 1(30): 577-587

[7] ZhaoM-h, ZouX-j, ZouP X W. Disintegration characteristics of red sandstone and its filling methods for highway roadbed and embankment [J]. Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering, 2007, 19(5): 404-410

[8] GiotR, AuvrayC, ConilN, et al.. Multi-stage water permeability measurements on claystone by steady and transient flow methods [J]. Engineering Geology, 2018, 247: 27-37

[9] WuA-x, JiangL-c, BaoY-f, et al.. Stability analysis of new safety cleaning bank in steep slope mining [J]. Journal of Central South University of Technology, 2004, 11(4): 423-428

[10] YuC-y, TangS-b, TangC-a, et al.. The effect of water on the creep behavior of red sandstone [J]. Engineering Geology, 2019, 253: 64-74

[11] ZhouJ-f, ZhengZ-y, BaoT, et al.. Assessment of rigorous solutions for pseudo-dynamic slope stability: Finite-element limit-analysis modelling [J]. Journal of Central South University, 2023, 30(7): 2374-2391

[12] ZhangD, WangZ-q, ZhangL-m, et al.. Crack propagation behavior in sandstone during unloading confining pressure under different seepage pressures [J]. Journal of Central South University, 2023, 30(8): 2657-2670

[13] BrunettiM T, PeruccacciS, RossiM, et al.. Rainfall thresholds for the possible occurrence of landslides in Italy [J]. Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences, 2010, 10(3): 447-458

[14] BaiH-b, MaD, ChenZ-qing. Mechanical behavior of groundwater seepage in Karst collapse pillars [J]. Engineering Geology, 2013, 164: 101-106

[15] ShiS-s, BuL, LiS-c, et al.. Application of comprehensive prediction method of water inrush hazards induced by unfavourable geological body in high risk Karst tunnel: A case study [J]. Geomatics, Natural Hazards and Risk, 2017, 8(2): 1407-1423

[16] RoserB P, KorschR J. Provenance signatures of sandstone-mudstone suites determined using discriminant function analysis of major-element data [J]. Chemical Geology, 1988, 67(1–2): 119-139

[17] HendrixM S. Evolution of Mesozoic sandstone compositions, southern Junggar, northern Tarim, and western Turpan basins, northwest China: A detrital record of the ancestral Tian Shan [J]. Journal of Sedimentary Research, 2000, 70(3): 520-532

[18] AuzeraisF M, DunsmuirJ, FerréolB B, et al.. Transport in sandstone: A study based on three dimensional microtomography [J]. Geophysical Research Letters, 1996, 23(7): 705-708

[19] de Lima RodriguesM C N, TrzaskosB, LopesA P. Influence of deformation bands on sandstone porosity: A case study using three-dimensional microtomography [J]. Journal of Structural Geology, 2015, 72: 96-110

[20] UhJ, WatsonA T. Determining spatial distributions of permeability [J]. Transport in Porous Media, 2011, 86(2): 385-414

[21] RoserB P, KorschR J. Determination of tectonic setting of sandstone-mudstone suites using SiO₂ content and K₂O/Na₂O ratio [J]. The Journal of Geology, 1986, 94(5): 635-650

[22] BaoH, ZhaiY, LanH-x, et al.. Distribution characteristics and controlling factors of vertical joint spacing in sand-mud interbedded strata [J]. Journal of Structural Geology, 2019, 128: 103886

[23] ZhangH, SunQ, LiuL, et al.. Changes in glossiness, electrical properties and hardness of red sandstone after thermal treatment [J]. Journal of Applied Geophysics, 2020, 175: 104005

[24] TangM-y, GaoM-z, LiS-w, et al.. Failure behavior and energy evolution characteristics of deep roadway sandstone under different microwave irradiation modes [J]. Journal of Central South University, 2023, 30(1): 214-226

[25] WangP, XuJ-y, LiuS-h, et al.. Dynamic mechanical properties and deterioration of red-sandstone subjected to repeated thermal shocks [J]. Engineering Geology, 2016, 212: 44-52

[26] BaiY, ShanR-l, JuY, et al.. Study on the mechanical properties and damage constitutive model of frozen weakly cemented red sandstone [J]. Cold Regions Science and Technology, 2020, 171: 102980

[27] DuK, LiX-f, TaoM, et al.. Experimental study on acoustic emission (AE) characteristics and crack classification during rock fracture in several basic lab tests [J]. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, 2020, 133: 104411

[28] DuK, LiX-f, WangS-y, et al.. Compression-shear failure properties and acoustic emission (AE) characteristics of rocks in variable angle shear and direct shear tests [J]. Measurement, 2021, 183: 109814

[29] DuK, LiX-f, YangC-z, et al.. Experimental investigations on mechanical performance of rocks under fatigue loads and biaxial confinements [J]. Journal of Central South University, 2020, 27(10): 2985-2998

[30] ZhaoK, YangD-x, GongC, et al.. Evaluation of internal microcrack evolution in red sandstone based on time – frequency domain characteristics of acoustic emission signals [J]. Construction and Building Materials, 2020, 260: 120435

[31] YangS-q, JingH-wen. Evaluation on strength and deformation behavior of red sandstone under simple and complex loading paths [J]. Engineering Geology, 2013, 164: 1-17

[32] XueY-c, XuT, HeapM J, et al.. Time-dependent cracking and brittle creep in macrofractured sandstone [J]. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, 2023, 162: 105305

[33] ZhuD-f, YuB-b, WangD-y, et al.. Fusion of finite element and machine learning methods to predict rock shear strength parameters [J]. Journal of Geophysics and Engineering, 2024, 21(4): 1183-1193

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

Central South University